Bookkeeping machine



- May 18, 1937. w. I. NICHOLSON. JR ,0

BOOKKEEPING MACHINE Filed May 21, 19:54 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwomtoz ww zw 1 May 18,1937. w. l. NICHOLSON, JR

BOOKKEE I I NG MACHINE Filecl May 21, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 1937. w. NICHOLSON; JR 2,080,871

BOOKKEEPING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1;? -H s; I Q a i H fl M. 5

a no a 9 I I smut oz ZZW/d) Z fifialron JF;

Patented May 18, 1937 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE- BOOKKEEPING MACHINE William I. Nicholson, Jr., Tulsa, Okla.

Application May 21, 1934, Serial No. 726,817 10 claims. (01. 197-1) 'I'his invention relates to new and useful improvements in bookkeeping machines and is a continuation in part of myco-pending application of the same title, Ser. No. 164,594, filed January 29, 1927, now Patent 1,963,445, issued June 19, 1934.

a An important object of the present invention isito provide a machine of the type disclosed in my above named co-pendlng application but having increased capacity to conveniently handle a larger number of records or accounts by reason at the fact that a plurality of records or accounts are associated with a-common holder, the holders arranged in two separate series or'groups, each group being associated with'a separate recorder and being movable with respect thereto for selecting the particular holder carrying the record to be recorded on and positioned in cooperative /relation with the recorder, and the provision of means for obtaining relative movability between each recorder and a selected holder whereby any one of the plurality of records associated with each holder may receive entries or impressions from the recorder.

Another important object of the invention is to provide master and auxiliary recorders operatively connected for simultaneous operation for the entry of corresponding data on two separate records, with provision for disconnecting the auxiliary recorder from the master at will whereby individual entries may be made upon the record associated with the master recorder to the exclusion of the record associated with the auxiliary recorder.

Another object of the invention is to provide the same general selector and advancer mechanisms for the present improvements as are profollowing description.-

In the accompanying drawings forming a pa of the descriptive matter and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a top plan of the machine;

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same; W

Figure 3 is an enlarged front plan of the means for elevating a selected holderfrom itsrespective group and positioning the same to receive impressions from its respective auxiliary recorder and showing one of the record holders in elevated position;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section of the same taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a horizontal transverse-section of the record holder taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse horizontal section taken on the line 66 of Fig- Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a portion of the device for rendering an auxiliary recorder inoperative from actuation by the master recorder;

Figure 8 is a similar view taken in a vertical plane of one of the coupling devices; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the common type key actuator bars coupling the two auxiliary recorders and actuated from the master recorder.

In order that the present improvements may be more readily understood without specific reference to myaforesaid patent, I will preface the detailed description with a general description of the machine and the functions it is adapted to accomplish.

Referring to Figure 1 of the present drawings, a typewriter A of any well known construction, which I will term the master recorder, is mounted upon a suitable support or desk top and has its type lever actuating mechanisms connected to the typelever actuating mechanisms of a pair of 'of the central or master typewriter A and slightly to the rear thereof. These auxiliary recorders are located at the forward ends of two separate ways or tracks D and E and are connected to the inaster recorder A whereby actuation of the latter will simultaneously actuate corresponding type levers of the auxiliary typewriters B and C.

In each way or track D and E and to the rear of each auxiliary typewriter, is located a group F of records, in the present instance, and taken as an illustration of one use of the machine, individual ledger accounts; in contra-distinction to the arrangement disclosed in my co-pending application, each of the groups F of record holders is individually bodily movable with respect to its respective auxiliary recorder so as to bring the selected holder in proper position to bepperatively associated with the auxiliary recorder, whereby a selected record may receive impressions therefrom. Each record or account consists of the usual ledger sheet, movable into cooperative relation with the auxiliary recorder B to receive the debit entries, and into similar relation with the auxiliary recorder C to receive the credit entries simultaneously with the posting of entries made by the master recorder A on the journal sheet.

A selector mechanism is provided for each auxiliary recorder or typewriter to assure proper positioning of the selected records in cooperative relation with the auxiliary recorders, and includes a selective index G for the auxiliary recorder B and a selective index H for the auxiliary recorder C. In this particular illustration of the invention, the auxiliary recorder B is employed for recording "accounts receivable" and the auxiliary recorder C is employed for recording sales, while, of course, the master recorder A is employed for posting both items as well as remarks upon a loose leaf of the journal.

After records or accounts in the two groups F have been selected by the indices G and H and moved up into cooperative relation with the two auxiliary recorders B and C by mechanisms which will be described hereinafter, and a loose leafof the journal has been inserted in a master recorder A, it will be seen that simultaneous posting in the journal and on the two accounts associated with the auxiliary recorders will be accomplished by actuation of the master recorderA. When it' it desired to enter items on the journal sheet in the master recorder to the exclusion of such entries on either or both ledger sheets associated with auxiliary recorders, means are provided for rendering either or both of the auxiliary recorders unaffected by the master recorder, whilethe latter is operated individually to post the said items on the journal sheet.

The record holders of each group F are ar ranged in vertical positions, one behind the other, in a suitable partitioned or grooved drawer or rack l8 slidable horizontally in its respective way D or- E, adjacent to its respective auxiliary regroup F. These indices G and H are identical.

corder B or C. In order to select any desired record or account for positioning the same in pos'ition to be brought into cooperative relation with its respective auxiliary recorder, the selective indices G and H are provided, eachincluding as many indexed abutment keys or buttons l6 as there are individual accounts or records in each with those disclogad in my co-pending application so that no further specific description of them is necessary other than to reiterate that the stem of each button [6 is slidably mounted in a suitable frame work so that when in depressed position, the lower end of the stem will be arranged in the path of movement of one of the stepped abutment rods l'l carried by the movable racks or drawers I! to form an abutment therewith for the purpose of limiting the forward movement ot the rack l6 whereby the holder containing the records selected by the particular depressed selector button will be position to be arranged in cooperative relation with respect to its respective auxiliary recorder 13 or C. These abutment rods II are the same as provided in my co-pending application andare moved forwardly along with their respective movable racks l5 by pulling upon an actuator rod l8 which projects forwardly of the machine to a point readily accessible to the operator. Each of the selective indices G and H is provided witha reset mechanism similar to that-disclosed in my co-pending application for opposite sides of the coupler casings.

restoring the buttons l6 to their normal positions and is actuated by means of a restoring lever l9 like that disclosed in my co-pe'nding application, so that a further detaileddescription of this phase of the device is not necessary..

The auxiliary typewriters or recorders B and C are mounted for movement transversely of the apparatus upon an elevated track- 28 which extends transversely of the fronts of the drawers or racks ii of the two groups of records Ewheretrack 28. These rods are each of polygonal cross section at each end for an extent equal to the width of the account holders to slidably receive the typelever actuating arms 23 so that the group of arms 23 of each-auxiliary typewriter may slide along the actuating rods 22 as the auxiliary typewriters B and C are moved opposite the selectedrecords or accounts, or when these auxiliary typewriters letter-space during their normal operation. The auxiliary recorders'or typewriters B and C are operatively connected by suitable mechanisms with the master typewriter or recorder whereby 'each time the spacer bar of the master recorder is actuated to move its carriage and platen, an equal degree of bodily movement will be imparted to the auxiliary recorders connected thereto for simultaneous operation. The rods 22- are each made in three separate sections, the in'-' termediate sections 24 of which have their opposite ends oscillatably mounted in bearings in coupler casings 25 and are oscillated by means of rods 26 connected to the type bar actuating mechanism of the master typewriter A. It will be understood that there are as many rods 22, 24, and 26 as there are keys on the usual typewriter so that actuation of any of the keys on the master typewriter A will simultaneously operate corresponding keys of the auxiliary typewriters B and C. The means for rocking shafts 22 tom the keys of the main container are preferably-the same as disclosed in my above mentioned patent.

As shown in detail in Figures 7 and 8, the ends of each rod 24 are journaled in bearings in the coupler casings 25 in alignment with their respective sections 22 which are journaled in the Theends of each rod 24 which project into the two 'cou pler casings 25 are provided with axially extending' polygonal sockets 26 and the ends of the rods 22 which project into these casings are likewise equipped with axially extending polygonal recesses 21 in alignment with the recesses 26 for slidably mounting a coupling bar 28 having a cross section corresponding with the cross section of the recesses 26 and 21 to fit the same and couple the rods 22 and 24. The recessed ends of the rods- 22 are equipped with longitudinally extending slots 28 through which a pin 38 carried by ,the coupling bar 28 projects. This pin 88 also extends through an elongated slot 3| in the coupler casing 26 so that upon movement of the casing to the right of Figure 8, the coupler bar 28 will be moved to the right of the figure and project its end into the socket 260i the rod;24

be withdrawn from the socket 28 no as to casings 25 are provided, one for each end of the v intermediate rod sections 24 whereby either auxiliary typewriter may be temporarily disconnected from the master typewriter. It will also be evident that all of the rods22 of each auxiliary typewriter extend into its respective coupler casing 25, as shown in Figure l, and that each of these rods is equipped with a coupling bar 28 having a pin 30 operating in a slot 3| of the coupler casing so that upon sliding these'casings upon the sectional rods, the actuating rods 22 of the type levers of auxiliary typewriters may be connected to or disconnected from the actuating rods 24 operated by the master typewriter. Each coupler casing 25 is moved by means of a bell crank 32 having a long arm 33 connected to the coupler casing by a pin and slot connection;

the shorter arm 34 ofthe bell crank being pivotally connected to a rectilinearly movable ac-- 25 tuator rod 35 extending forwardly of the machine and terminating in a handle 36 disposed conveniently to the reach of the operator. It will be understood that one of these coupler casside of the master typewriter A so that either or both auxiliary typewriters may be disconnected from the master typewriter in order that individual postings can be entered upon the journal sheet in the master typewriter to the exclusion of the ledger sheets associated with the auxiliary typewriters.

The mechanism for transferring any selected record holder from each group consists in an Aelevating mechanism located at the forward end of each way D and E and directly to the rear of the rearmost track 20 as best appreciated from Figure 2. Since the elevating mechanism for both groups of record holdersis identically the same, a description of one will suflice for both.

A pair of spaced channel uprights 31 are secured 'to the support 98 upon which the machine is installed at opposite sides of each way D or E. Slidably mounted in the channels of these uprights is an inverted U-shaped frame 39 preferably formed of sheet material as shown in detail in Figure 6. The side arms 40 of this frame are slidably received within the channels of the uprights 31 and each, adjacent its upper end and extending inwardly from the inner side thereof is provided with a shoulder or lug 4| adapted to engage laterally extending shoulders 42 'of a record holder 43.

This record holder is composed of a substantially rectangular frame carrying front and rear transparent plates 44 and 45 respectively of celluloid or the like, the edges of which are bound in the metallic binding material constituting the frame 43. This binding framehas its two upright sides grooved or rabbeted as at 45 to slid- 'ably mount the holder upon oppositely facing ribs 41 provided in the upright side walls of the drawer l5 carrying the group of the holders F. The front plate 44 is provided at intervals with a plurality of vertical slits 48 extending from the lower edge to divide the holder into a number of pockets, each of which is designed for retaining a record or ledger sheet therein. These slits 48 provide mouths for the various pockets or compartments through which the-record may be in- 7 serted. The front and rear plates 44 and 45 of 1' journaled in uprights 31.

ing actuator mechanisms is provided on each the holder are provided with aligned rectangular V openings 49 by which the record 50 in the pocket is exposed at its front and rear faces as shown best in-Figure 4.

The means for raising and lowering the frame 48 comprises cables 5| secured to thetop of the frame at opposite ends thereof and trainedabout pulleys 52 journaled on the upper ends of the uprights 31. From here, the cables 5| are directed downwardly and beneath pulleys 53a journaled in the support 38 from where they are directed around and secured to pulleys 54a having ratchet mechanism operated by a lever 55a so that the frames 48 may be retained in elevated position for receiving impressions from the auxiliary typewriters.

The platens for the various records are a plurality of rolls 53 carried by a shaft having its ends There are as many rolls 53 as there are records in a record holder and each is positioned rearwardly of the opening 49 in the rear plate 45 and is of such length as to project through this opening and bear against the record within'the holder to hold the record in position to receive impacts from the 7 type levers of the auxiliary recorders. Above each platen roll is a feed roll 54 which is adapted to engage the rear face of each record through turn the feed rolls 54 for line spacing the records.

Cooperating with each feed roll 54 are a pair of smaller feed or pressure rolls 55 rotatably mounted upon the bridge portion of a U-shaped frame 55, the two parallel side arms 51 of which are pivotally mounted upon a cross piece 58 which bridges the two uprights 31 and is secured thereto at opposite ends as shown. Each feed roll frame 56 is provided with a bridge piece 59 connecting the two arms thereof and this bridge piece, as best appreciated from Figures 3 and 4, is provided with a set of ball bearings 8|, which are arranged in the path of movement of the auxiliary recorders B and C. Accordingly, when the auxiliary typewriter is moved to. a point in front of the record upon which it is desired to make entries, the frame of the auxiliary typewriter will engage the ball bearings 01' the feed roll knurled nut 50, the feed rolls 54 are rotated and since they engage the record at a point opposite where the rolls 55 engage the same, the record 58 will be vertically adjusted within the holder for line spacing. However, when the feed rolls 55 are normally free of contact with their respective records. as when the auxiliary recorders rotation of the feed rolls 54 has no effect upon line spacing of the records.

The operation of the device is as follows:- Corresponding ledger sheets for any one account in the two groups F are selected by de pressing, the proper buttons it of the two selector mechanisms G and H. This places an abutment in the path of movement of one of the rods so that when the handle l8 of eachmechanism are disengaged from the feed roll frames 55,

on each side of the master recorder A is pulled I forward, it moves the entire group or'drawer full of account holders 42 forwardlyon its respective traclr out under the transfer mechanism and auxiliary typewriter until the rod l'l engages the depressed stem ofthe actuated button II. This will place the holder containing the selected account beneath the transfer frame 39 with the lugs 4| of the latter arranged beneath the shoulders 42 of the transfer frame. The lever a is then pushed rearwardly of the machine to cause the cable 5| to elevate the frame 39 and 'carry with it the selected record holder 42, the

lugs 4| coming upunder the shoulders 42, This record holder will be drawn up between the feed rolls 54 and 55 untilthey engage the exposed record so that the latter may be line-spaced as hereinbefore described. When it is desired to post entries on the two sets of records contained in the two groups, simultaneously withthe posting of entries inthe journal sheet mounted in the master recorder A, the coupling pins 20 are actuated by means of the levers 38 to form a coupling between the rods 24 and the two sets of rods' 22, so that upon actuation of the master recorder, corresponding action of the auxiliary recorders will be caused, thereby posting entries in triplicate on three different records. On the other hand, should itjbe desired to only post an entry with the master recorder and only one of the auxiliary recorders, the coupling housings 25 are moved soas to couple the rods 24 with one set of rods 22 leading to that auxiliary recorder which it is desired to operate simultaneously with the master recorder. 0n the other hand, should it be desired to post individual entries in the journal by means of the master recorder, the coupling devices 25 can be. placed in neutral positions so that two sets of auxiliary type lever actuating rods 22- are disconnected from the central set of actuating rods 24. v I

When the record holder ,is arranged in position for receiving impressions from the auxiliary recorders, its lower edge as shown in Figure 3 is always disposed within the drawer ll, so that upon completion of an entry, the lever Ila may be operated to release the ratchet mechanism whereby the elevated frame will automatically lower the elevated record holder into its original position within. the group F. In lowering, the elevating frame 3! will move downwardly until its pair of lugs disengage from the shoulders 42 'of the record holder and areas-ranged therebelow so that the drawer full of record holders may then be returned to its normal pomtion rearwardly of the elevating mechanism. As the drawer of record-holders is again advanced, the

' laterally extending shoulders 42 pass'successively above the lugs 4| until the selector rod i1 stops the forward movement of the drawer by its abutment with the selected depressed button I of a selector mechanism.

It is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: I v 1. In a; machine of the class described, a. recorder, means for removing a selected record holder from a group of holders and for moving the same into cooperative relation to the recorder, said group of holders being movable relative to said means for bringing a selected holder into cooperative position relative to said re-' corder.

2. In a machine of the class described, separate record moving means associated with each of a plurality of records, and a recorder movable relative io said records and automatically engageable with said means of the selected record to render the same operative to the exclusion 'of the others.

3. In a machine of the class described, separate line spacing means .associated with each of a plurality of records, and a recorder movable relative to said records and automatically engageable with said spacing means of the selected record to render the same operative to the exclusion of the other llnespacing means.

4. In a machine of the class described, a record holder having a plurality of separate record sheets movably associated therewith, a record sheet-moving device for each sheet, and a recorder movable relative to said sheets and automatically engageable with the sheet m0ving,de-' vice of the selected sheet to render the same operative.

5. In a machine of -the class described, a recorder, a record elevating device arranged in proximity thereto, a group of record holders movable beneath the same and each having a pair of laterally extending shoulders, and means carried by the elevating device and movable beneath said shoulders to engage those of any holder disposed above the same to lift the selected holder into. cooperative relation with the-recorder to receive impressions therefrom.

6. A record holder. comprising front and rear plates'between which record sheets are inter-- changeably receivable, one of said plates having spaced parallel slits through each of which arecord sheet is insertable and removable, a plurality of separate record sheets being simultaneously receivable between said plates, one of said plates having openings exposing the respective record sheets to enable the latter to be printed upon.

"I. A record holder comprising front and rear plates between which record sheets are interchangeably receivable, one of said sheets having spaced parallel slits through each of which a record sheet is insertable andremovable, a plurality of separate record sheets being simultaneously receivable between said plates, one of said plates having openings exposing the respective record sheets to enable the latter to be printed upon, the record sheets between-the plates being adjustable relative thereto in parallel relation, to said slits. 1

\ 8. Apparatus of the classdescribed comprising a horizontally movable drawer having pairs of opposed vertical guide means, record holders each having edges guided by a pair of said guide means, mechanism operative to elevate a record holder brought into operative relation to said mechanism by suitable movement of said drawer, the elevating range of said mechanism being insufllcient to disengage the holders entirely from said guide means. I

9. In apparatus of the class described, a feed roll for-line spacing a recordsheet, a recorder for impressing data on a record sheet fed by said roll, said'recorder being movable into and out of cooperative position relative to the record sheet, a pressure rollrmounted on the opposite side of the sheet from the'feed roll for movesure roll against the lat er.

10. A record holder comprising front and rear 2,oeo,ev1-- v I 5 plates between which record sheets are interchangeably receivable, one of said platesihaving an opening through which data may be impressed upon a. record sheet between said plates. the record sheet being adjustable between the plates to bring difierent portions thereof in front of said opening, at least said one of the plates being transparent so that impressed matter, not in front of the opening, on a record sheet in the v holder may be read.

WILLIAM I. NICHOLSON, JR. 

